A new longer-lasting pepper weevil lure

Russell IPM has developed a new longer-lasting pepper weevil lure, PEPPER-XE, with improved field performance. The new lure contains the pepper weevil aggregation pheromone, specially formulated to release the critical pheromone components at the correct ratio, for twice as long as other lures on the market. The pheromone is packaged inside a single, easy to use pouch.

The pheromone traps play a vital role in the early detection of pepper weevils in a crop. Once feeding inside the fruits, the larvae are near impossible to control with insecticides; therefore early detection is critical so that timely control actions can be taken.

The pepper weevil, Anthonomus eugenii, attacks plants in the family Solanaceae and has been devastating pepper crops in Mexico, Southern USA and Canada, with recent outbreaks in Europe. Both adults and larvae can cause devastating crop damage. Adults feed on the flowers and small fruits causing them to drop off, while larvae bore inside fruits making them unmarketable.

Photo source: NIAB EMR

In initial field trials, the lures attracted over 50% more pepper weevils than the main competitors’ lure over a four-week period in the field.

The lure has been developed with the support of funding from the Welsh Government Smart Cymru project, in collaboration with the Natural Resources Institute of the University of Greenwich (NRI) and East Malling Research (NIAB-EMR).

Work is in progress to optimise the visual attraction of the traps, to enhance the lure by addition of a kairomone, and to formulate the pheromone for incorporation into Optiroll roller traps, thus extending Russell IPMs’ range of species-targeted traps.

For more information:
Russell IPM
Unit 45 First Avenue
Deeside Industrial Park
Deeside, Flintshire, CH5 2NU
United Kingdom
Tel: +44 (0) 1244 281 333
Fax: +44 1244 281 878
[email protected]
www.russellipm.com